Ready for the year ahead?

Phil Knox of the EA shares five key missional trends churches should expect to see in 2026

The past year marked a seismic moment for the church in the UK. More people are open to Jesus and actively exploring faith. Baptisms are rising. Churches are growing.

For the past hundred years, church attendance in the UK has been in steady decline. But in 2025, several significant research projects offered clear marker points suggesting the tide has turned.

Drawing on the latest research, listening to our members and observing the missional landscape, here’s what church should expect in 2026.

Look out for the spiritually open

The year is shaping up to be the most spiritually open year in living memory. Atheism is expected to continue its decline. Belief is back. The evangelical church will grow.

But a rising tide doesn’t flow in one direction. Seekers will turn not only to all forms of Christianity, but also to other religions, paganism and the occult.

Look out for the unexplained

This year will see spiritual experiences, dreams and unexplained events drawing thousands towards church. Over the past year, we have heard countless stories of this – previously a rarely cited pathway to faith. Today, 28 per cent of new adult Christians say a spiritual experience prompted them to explore the Christian faith. Expect people to arrive asking, “What was that?!”

Look out for the Gospel opportunities

In 2026, the church will need to join the dots more intentionally between compassion ministry and faith sharing.

Foodbank use is likely, sadly but predictably, to increase as inflation and cost-of-living pressures continue. Almost every foodbank in the UK is connected to a church. Yet only a fraction of service users are invited to take a next step on a journey of faith. Where they are, many go on to become Christians.

Meanwhile, 74 per cent of parents with children under five have attended a church activity in the past 12 months. Churches that connect these ministries clearly and confidently to faith sharing will grow rapidly.

Look out for booming Bible engagement

Bible sales are expected to continue to soar in 2026, with seekers arriving at church having already done serious theological homework. Sales have risen by 87 per cent in recent years, and UK bestsellers are only growing in popularity.

In a ‘fake news’, ‘post-truth’ world, younger generations are drawn to good news that is true, profound and beautiful. Churches that keep the substance the same while relating it relevantly to culture will flourish. Expect many new Christians to cite Bible reading as pivotal in both exploration and decision.

Look out for discipleship questions and challenges

More people will come to faith through new pathways in 2026, making clear answers to the question ‘what’s next?’ essential.

Research shows that new believers most need help establishing spiritual disciplines and finding community. Too many drift away because they are not nurtured or fail to build meaningful relationships. In 2026, newcomers will prompt leaders to invest deeply in early spiritual formation – and to empower spiritual fathers and mothers to walk alongside them.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.